Football: Bellhawks win inaugural Route 66 Bowl

Mann, Salisbury, Spruill each score two TDs

MIDDLETOWN >> The Vinal Tech/East Hampton/Goodwin Tech cooperative football team captured the first annual Route 66 Bowl with a 39-0 victory over Wilcox Tech on Tuesday night at Palmer Field.

Austin Mann, Evan Salisbury, and Horace Spruill each had two rushing touchdowns to power the Bellhawks.

“We prepared very well for this one,” Bellhawks coach Joe Cefaratti said. “We played well. We did a great job with our blockng schemes up front and I was very happy with the way our backs ran and read the holes.”

Mann’s 23 yard touchdown run gave the Bellhawks an early 7-0 lead. Salibury, who gained 94 yards on 10 carries, added TD runs of 13 and 5 yards to give VT/EH/GT a 21-0 advantage after one quarter.

Mann had a 1-yard TD plunge in the second quarter and Spruill, who rushed for 98 yards on 14 carries, added a pair of 9-yard scoring runs, the latter making it 39-0 in the third quarter.

Amos Talbott, who returned to the lineup after missing the previous game with an injury, Mike Greco, Isaiah Brett, Anthony Groeper, and Mann, who had an interception, led the Bellhawks spirited defensive effort.

“I was really impressed with our defense,” Cefaratti said. “The kids were in the right spots and defended their option to perfection. We pretty much shut down their pistol option and passing formations. And we also put consistent pressure on their quarterback.”

Wilcox Tech of Meriden fell to 2-8, while the Bellhawks finish 5-6.

“We would have liked to have gone above .500,” Cefaratti said. “But it was still a successful season. And to end it with a win over our new Thanksgiving rival in the Route 66 Bowl was really great.”